Serie A 2021/22: How Milan’s ruthless press and quick attacking movement floored Sassuolo – tactical analysis

On Sunday Milan beat Sassuolo 3-0 to win their first Serie A title in eleven years.

The Rossoneri travelled to the Mapei Stadium knowing that a draw would be enough to claim their nineteenth scudetto. Inter who were in second place were two points behind their rivals with a worse head-to-head record.

This was being labelled as a tricky fixture because Sassuolo had already beaten them this season. Milan proved any doubters wrong and won the game in the first half with a ruthless display of attacking football.

This article features the tactical analysis of the game and explains the key tactics behind Milan’s dominant first-half display and why it proved too much for Sassuolo to recover from as Milan claimed all three points.

Line Ups

Milan came into the match on the back of five straight league victories. Stefano Pioli set the team up with their usual 4-2-3-1 approach, a system which has been used in all but three of their league games this season.

Milan’s interpretation of the 4-2-3-1 formation allows them flexibility and adaptability in and out of possession. This enables them to attack in numbers and also defend in numbers, a tactic that Pioli would want to implement in this game as Sassuolo are dangerous when they attack but vulnerable when defending.